Apparatus for ionizing petroleum and its distillates.



APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1908.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

LI LJLILILILHJLILI DAN MARTINI, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR IONIZING PETROLEUM AND ITS DISTILLATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29,1908.

Application filed May 29, 1908. Serial No. 435,670.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, DAN MARTINI, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at London, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improved A paratus for Ionizing Petroleum and its Dist, lates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an'app'aratus. for

effecting an electronic interchange between the ions in crude petroleum or any distillate of petroleum and the ions in atmospheric oxygen, which interchange not only shatters the molecular structure of the hydrocarbons but forms the constituents into new radioactive groups and produces a mixture with high explosive efiiciency, and very suitable as an explosive mixture for use in internal combustion engines.

The principle underlying my invention is the discovery that petroleum,'in its crude and denser forms, contains properties which have not hitherto been corrrectly defined or put to commercial use. These properties are as follows z-Crude petroleum conta ns a substance which behaves like radium and 'ivesthe gases obtained from petroleum a igh electric conductivity. Electrons, both free and bound, reside to a large extent in the hydrocarbons forming these ases. troleum, either crude or in its f ractions, is exceedingly susceptible to ionic charge, e. g. by means of ionized ogyxen or ionized air. The hydrocarbons contained in crude petrolleum when subjected to ionic charge in a gaseous state in the presence of ionized-foxygen, do not onignition, first decom ose into hydrogen and carbon in primar an secondary reactions but they explore simultaneously when fired by an electric spark. Now according to my said invention, I utilize these properties in the production of a highly efficient explosive mixture for use in internal combustion engines. For this purpose, I ionize oxygen on atmospheric air and mix this ionized oxygen or air with petroleum or any distillate thereof in the form of a mist or spray and I ionize this mixture by means of a suitable ionizer wherein the said mixture is which is capable of explodingin one chemical reaction, so that a very complete comhustion of the petroleum or of its distillate 18 obtained.

' between rows on the opposite electrode.

My said invention moreover com rises an apparatus, to be hereinafter describe where.- i

by my improved process may be carried into practice.

In theaccompanying drawin Figure 1 is a vertical central section of t e complete apparatus for carrying out my invention, an Fig. 2 is. a view. showing a detail of construction.

The sparking chamber is constituted by a short length of tube a of glass or other insulating material and which may be of square crosssection. The width of said chamber is sufficient to permit insertion therein ofthe electrode plates 6, b, which are rovide'd with points ontheir opposing sur aces and are held at suitable distances apart, e. g. an eighth to a quarter of an inch, by means of groovedor toothed separators c, d of porcelain, ebonite or other suitable insulating material arranged in metal frames e,

emplloyed which are arranged coaxially one wit 'n the other. Whenmore surface with points is required in a small space,.in cases where two coaxial electrodes are employed, the inner electrode as. seen endwise 1s starsha ed and the slopes of such protrudlng 11 aces are covered with points. The larger electrode must then have internal corru ations corresponding thereto; If the electro es are made or cast with the said oints 1nlong1- tudinal rows, they should be adjusted so that each row of points on one electrode projg ri'lts e points must not touc and on the electrodes eing placed in position,-the air space between them should be the same all round. In cases Where the electrodes are ofcircular cross-sec.- 1tion, the. tube a is made of corresponding orm.

The frames e,f are provided with apertures Z holds t e whole apparatus together. The

tube Z. is provided inside the sparking chamher with an external sleeve 0 of suitable msu- 75 1f desired, hol-- lating material and the central electrodes are cut away in the middle to rovide room for said tube. The electrodes b may be made of copper or other suitable material for example aluminium which is ve suitable on account of its'chea'pness, con uctivity and high ionizing capacityythe sparln'ng points areshown cast with the electrodes. -Alter- Some frictional ionization'ofthe a1r is obtainable, prior to subjecting it to electric ac- -tion, by extending the sparking chamber at the air-inlet end and by filling the hollow space so formed with loose co per scra s or turnings which are kept in p acej'e. g. y a strainer made of coppermesh. Atmospheric air, drawn by the suction of the engine through a glass tube-filled with copper in this way, has imparted to it an ionization which increases its electrical conductivity. three or four times. .i-

The lower end of the mixing chamberj opens through a tubular passage '11 into the second or cone chamber and this communication is fitted underneath with a strong valve controlled bya spiral spring '1'. Spirally posed within said sphere and integral therewith are narrow flanges s winding from the upper to the lower end to give a rotary motion to the mixture assinr through the chamber. The sphericafchamber 7' is prefer? ably made of all. mini-um and may becast integrallywith the outer casing t, which contains conical electrodes 11,, v, or it is'cast or made in one piece by itself and screwed to said outercasing as shown in the drawings. The conical electrodes u, '0 1n the second or cone-chamber are made of aluminium or the base. 7 In the'case of D 1 extends into and bears. against a rmg w ofother suitable metal, and are provided with a number of points on their opposing surfaces in a similar manner to the electrodeplates b, b. In some cases, the said cones 'may be plain, but they are preferably stepped, for example, as shown. In the latter case, when placed one within the other coaxially, the air enteringat the apex and passmg through between them receivessucces-v ,sively'and suddenly e.g. atwofold, fourfold,

and ei'ghtfold expansion before emerging at v plain cones, the expansionisgraduah 4. w

Theouter cone-electrode u at its upper end insulating materiahwhich fit's into the up er part of the casing t, and also serves as a bu l ead to prevent the gas from flowing from the m1xing' chamber 7' through the space between the-casing t and the outer cone u instead of through the annular space or pasthe pillar 5 nit gine passed through it, "so as to raise the temperature of the electrodes. The lower end of the cone u is supported t ough insulators x, a: on threebracketsi y, 1 which are pivotally mounted on the lower surface of the casing t, so that they 'can'be swung to one side when it is desiredto remove the cone u. The current is transmitted to this'outer cone by means of a (Tonductor z extendingthrou h 'a porcelain or other insulator 2 suitab y mounted in the casing t and connected to an.

external terminal 3. I The cone 0 is mounted within the cone 1!. by means of an insulating sleeve 4 on a tubular pillar 5 through which extends the insulated conductor Q whereby current is transmitted to the said cone, suflicient air-space being left as dielectric between the opposing points of the two electrodes to' revent sparking at high voltages. The position of the cone '0 relatively to the cone u can be adjusted by roviding the lower end of through a screw-threaded socket 7 in the lower part of the saucer-shaped base t of the casing t. external handle 8 whereby it may be readily turned, andwith a lock-nut 9 for clamping 1t screw-threads extending The pillar 5 is provided with an in any position to which it has been adjusted,

so as to enable the apparatus to work with high or low potential electrical current.

Other suitable adjusting means ma how ever be provided for this purpose. '1' e base t of the casing 15 is provided vsith an outlet 10 for the ionized explosive mixture, whereby said mixture is conducted to the engine.

The sparking chamber, if the fitting thereof to the engine so requires, can be fixed at an angle between the vertical and a right ang e in relation to the cone chamber;

The hollow rod or tube 1 in-tlie-sparldng'. chamber, contains, centrally disposedtherein and having an air space around'it, an oil sup ly pipe 11 connected at its upper end 7 suitable means, such as a cock or valve be' provided for regulatingl the flow' of 0 through said pipe. Suc oil supply pipe is flared or tapered internally atits lower end 15 Where it is provided with a cone 12 suit wit the petroleum storage tank (not shown),

ably secured therein, so as to leave a narrow I annular s ace for the purpose of spreading the oil owing down the pipe' 11 into a conical sheet and of thus facilitating its atomization. The passage through the pipe 11 can be shut off by means of a small cu 'or bulb -18 which contains mercury an is secured to a rod or wire 19 extending u through a hole in the cone 12 and throug the'bore of the pipe 11, whence it passesout sagebetween the cones u, 'v. If desired the through a stuflingbox o'rin any other suit- 'f came, when theen flow of. oil through t ing with it the oil. The

able. manner so as. to enablethe. said-bulb to. be raised or lowered and thus. open and close the lower endof the tube 11. By this ine is not at work, the .pipell can be eflectually shut ofi by the mercury and at the same time the motion of the rod. or wire 19. in the boreot said pipe. $erve's.t'o displace, any obstruction that may form therein and thus reduces. the risk of interruption of' the. oil-*. iced: to. a. minimum. The-hollow rodor. tube Z, therefiore, serves the. double purpose. ofa E boltand an air shaft toxconvey ionized air irom the s arking chamber to the ionizer or sprayer. baid tube is provided at. the base oi thesparking chamber with. slots. 1.3,. 13 into which a portion. of the ionized air from the sparkin chamber is; diverted by means oi a funne .-s.ha-peddeflector 14 arranged around'the same. This. diverted current of' lomzed air moves pastv the flared lower end 15; oi the oil supply-pipell into an enlarge-- ment 1.6 of the lower end of the tube l, carrymixture ofi oil and air issues from the enlargement 16 through a series ofla-teral nozzles 17, 1'Z and meets the main. current of ionized air from. the sparking chamber, thus producing a'petro leu-m mist ofextreme fineness. The elasticity of; the. air is thus-used. to 'feedin thoil, and keeps the. proportions of oil and air correct. The mixture of theoil; spray and an is perfectedby the whirling motioni'imparted theretolby the spiral. flangeor flanges. s n thechamber 7', WlllCll- .romotes its uniform distribution:- around t e annular;spacev between the cones-u; 'v, where. it is acted upon by a silent electric discharge and is simultaneously subjected to a series of' sudden expansions. If desired, the flow. of. oil, from the flared nozzle. 1.51 may begoverned by a feed-pin or needle-valve extending up: Wards through the: bottom ot the. enlargement 16. an mounted on the spring con trolled; valveg, whichpin when; drawn. down by-the Suction stroke of, the; engine admits-a supply,- of oiLto the enlargement 16;.

he sparking chamber,. inthe apparatus so constructed, has-Eor-its. object the ionizat1 on= of the oxygen in the air drawn therethroughlby the, suction stroke of the engine. flhe. Sourceof' electricity may be an-alte'rnatmg current generator supplying current at about 4,000 volts and upwards The frequencyof the alternating current employed should be at; least high enough to enable. 'WHNGS of; one to. three meters-long tobe produced. The effect of the electric stresses set u byf-this curren t,. sparking discharge, is tocauseelectrons to. bGgSQhfI'QQ and; goinom one point-to another; Ionization occurs on the-electronsbein shot into the molecules, of.- th'e. oxygen, of; t e air.

shich is preferably a these molecules: into disorder. Above 5,5.00 volts the. majority ofthe. ions in. the. oxygen are negatively charged and ac ;uire suflicien-t velocity to generate other ions y col.lis1on.,

The. second casing or cone chamber is designed toenable the. oxygen ionsto caps ture the. petroleum spray or fog in the rig t proportion. 'What, is chiefly requlred at this stage. is. to. get. the exact degree of expansion in. the. mixture; that Wlll: induce the particles of'oil not, only to condense upon the ions,-. but. will also maintaineach t1ny S, here in the mist in'stable: equilibrium. 'l he host, of ions initially su ersaturated with oilon entering this charm er, requires.

only a. slight. ex ansion to: formthemixture into. a cloud}; tis recisely at this point that the great difiic :ty in. petroleum as. a fuel is met. with, and has. to be overcome..- The. process here is not merely an expanslon of the. mixture.- It. is an expansion otthe ions, involving a chemical trans-formatlon, "i; e... to break the complex ring and chain molecules in the heavyhydrocarbonsinto simpler structures lower down. in the same series. without. cracking the component molecules.

petroleum in the sphere and the mixture reaches the entrance to-"the cone chamber, an. e'xpansionof 1.25 times .the volume is the oil on the negative ions, Similar condensation on the positive ions takes lace when the expansionis between 1.31 an 1.38

times greater than the initial volume. The mixture then has an appearance like fog.

' After the primary collision of ions and,

necessary to induce further condensation of- When the mixture reaches. the eightfold 600 times higher conductivity than air. The

average of all crude oilsgwill be. found in practice to exceed air over 400 times. To arrive, at a fairly correct measurement, 3.4.x*10.-*10 electrostatic units may be taken as the chargeon the ion.

It iswholly .due to the presence of the radioactive substance or emanation. inj petroleurn' referred: to. at. the beginning of the-specification, and the bringing of its energies. into: operation, In conjunction. with passing. through the-ionizer. and throwing the. ionized. bxygenated molecules as. d6,

'7 Gn zn are the chief hydrocarbons inltusslan'jand P17111181] and secondary reactions;

upon'the intensityof theelectric 'dlSOllflIgGY Y and-can be determinedgby-the;conductivity I huge. The best petrol, -thatsis hexane v andlomzation are'plotted-f'a-curve which f almost fa; stralght line, 'With an "equal constituents of kerosene 011 which is composed almost wholly of araffins, (l l l m.

. Edirect ratio,

"ml Z fdf0 i 4 it:

" thelos's in .th compression 0 amber is distillates can: be efiectively used as a;fuel in-internal combustion engines. [The extreme V, substance, ca'rries the electric spark'instan a taneously throu bout. the mixture .iinv the cylinder, .with t e; resultflthat the whole 1 *plodes' comp etely and simultaneouslyrin one ,chemlcal reaction; and not successively in the gaseous mixture graduallydecrease's as the molecular welghts increase, so that to scribedftliat the; oil and its heavier conductivity of this radioactiveelement, or"

ionized oxyee'natedhydrocarbon; body ex-.

' T The number of ions produced is de endeiit of the gas after'being subjected toesaid dis- GJEI gives, "when intensity ,of discharge amountyof ionizedoxygen the ionization of compensate for this theamountof ionized onygen should be increased to correspond with the molecular ratios. ii a Two-nonanes, aand fl,' are'the primary he- Pennsylvania v is s 'ghtly" m0re .-'-1o n'.. izable in its crude statethan .olefines'" and na'phthenes C H,,',6H,-, .I which umanian petroleums. i-lTheu' two'flatter" we better results in v the kcylinder with a ttle stron er electricchargeashereinafter \lili'eli a. jcheniicalf seriesc -hy I p riandenrichesthejmixture" l I gran imelecule'ofrozpne sets 'free'-29,"600. cal0r1es,"".anda;dds togthei'heat'units'and conssequently, to; 'efli ey.,-

Qzone, decomposes t crease-pf p ressu re, but

lsfmuchimorefiiersistent sma li-a s en yi-.'o "sab e yolutions of the e g to, n 8 1 v s: w.

"with means for ioniz'ing said j mixturifand- I vex'plosive -mi xtiure for}; l n-a p atus 9 mpress d yg n; m.- hases :sipgl edas an an w the 1 chai a'f fis'parking -"chan 1be1"-, I i through said sparking chamberp'lovrdjj-with gas-admission -ap'ertures said. ,ber, deflectors arrangedingcombinationl with.

"Hipe arranged in sai I ev'ice arranged at-f tube,

explosive "mixture f r; ustion eng1'nes',j said .Ta ..g king ch mbefa hlfqu gh' :said flspar PP." 8 a-md "cylinder times show a'ryery small less nitrogen. '65.

and dirt that it must first be carefully g '-strained. Any distillate used in the apparatus should also be'strained teremove 1m-' purities which may have collected in it.

';The electric current for producing the electric field in the second-or conechamber" 13 preferably alternating. It 'musti nbt be less-than four thousand volts, if pure Penn-J sylvania crude is used. Roumanian crude.

requires a minimum of. 5,500'v ')lts;.-and 'sian, .'Ohio,-'Texas, California, Borneo and Trinidad oils give better, efliciencyiwith voltage from 6,000 upwards. For motor cabs and oninibuses, a small-d amo'with suitable transformer 've's' suificlent'cui'rentl ranged for the purpose byiputtinE-an-inter; s5 "rupter' in the primaryfco'f of t eelectric transformer used for :raisin the potential; v of thecurrent produced by't "e'magneto'. 1 v

What claim g;

1-. An apparatus for'thep duction of an explosive mixture for use 11; intern'al'com-v bustion engines, said 'ap ,aratusi-compri'sing means for forming petro eum liquid; into a. .mist, spm or yap'orjj andsimultaneously' mixing it with a gas and ,means'for}ioniz1ng itto'expansiorn 3; v v I 7 2. ,An apparatus for the reduction ofjan explosive mixture for-use g-vm, internal comimixture and men ss .b t' o e a d-appa a u rfi fm a s for a' s sa r n 1*in..9 fiP Ia-. 'tion withmeans'for forming petrolepmlhquid into a mist, s'prayiolt "vapor s1 'mi 1ltane-z,

simultaneously subj ect' it :to expansion;- -.3-.. An;a pa atus;.for i fierp uctiong f 1 Se-Jn iin s mi 'p musib p i i xten .y

b'u'stion enginesj'said I .11 0

said gas-admission agrtigres, "ll-:11- o :gtu exam 0.

' litle i4,z-Anapparatus f f or t ppw cease? I a spherical mixing chambei inclosing said spg'aying device and provided with a spiral n on its inner surface.

5. An apparatus for the production of an explosive mixture for use in explosion enfines, said apparatus comprising means for orming a petroleum liquid into amist, spray or vapor, and for mixing the so-treated liquid with a gas, an ionizercomprising two cones arranged one within the other, and a conduit connecting said atomizing or spray ing and mixing apparatus to the smaller end of the annular space between said cones.

6. An apparatus for the production of an explosive mixture for use in explosion enes, said apparatus comprising means for orming a 4 petroleum liquid into a mist, spray or va or, and for mixing the sotreated liqui with a gas, an ionizer comprising two cones having steps on their 0 posing su aces and arranged one within t e other; an ,a conduit connecting said atomizing or spraying and mixing apparatusto the smaller end of the annular space between said cones.

' 7. 7 An apparatus for the production of an chamber, a tube extendmg through sai sparking chamber and provided with gasadmission apertures. in said chamber, de-- flectors arranged in combination with said gas-admission apertures, an oil-supply pipe arranged in said tube, a spraying device con sisting of a laterally perforated enlargement of the outlet end of said tube, a spherical mixing chamber inolosing said s raging device and rovided with a spiraFri on its inner su ace, an ionizer comprising two cones arranged one within theother, and a conduit connecting said mixing chamber to explosive mixture for. use in explosion engines, said/apparatus comprising a sparking r thegsmaller end of the annular space between said cones.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto se my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses JOHN T. KNOWLES, H: A. BnEsToN.

r DAN MARTINI. 

